According to an ETIG analysis, Bakeri's net worth jumped a whopping 976 times, from Rs2 crore to Rs2,104 crore, in the last 10 years.

When Bakeri's locally-made, yet expensive, cooler broke down frequently, he began thinking of the lack of any good quality air cooler or organised manufacturer in the Indian market.

With a degree in architecture, followed by an MBA from the University of Southern California, Bakeri soon began working on the idea of manufacturing a compact, better looking air cooler. He has come a long way since.

Symphony has a turnover of Rs378 crore (2013-14), eight patents, 108 trademarks and seven copyrights. Its air coolers are available in 35 countries.

The value of the group's promoter has risen 160 times to Rs2,784 crore in the last 10 years.

This period also saw TTK Prestige emerge as the biggest kitchenware company in the country with a market capitalisation of Rs3,600 crore, up from Rs15 crore in 2003-04.

R Thyagarajan of Chennaibased Shriram Group is third on the list. The 77-year old succeeded in increasing his holding in the two listed companies—Shriram Transport Finance and Shriram City Union—144 times, from Rs52 crore in 2003-04 to Rs7,495 crore in 2013-14.